Habitat Modification in Saltmarsh Environments: the Effects of Physical Mosquito Control, Runnelling, on Non-target Features

Mosquitoes of public health importance are controlled using a range of physical, biological and chemical methods. Management of breeding habitat using runnels is an effective and efficient method of physical control for saltmarsh mosquitoes. In saltmarsh, the larval habitat of mosquitoes is restricted to infrequently inundated pools located at or above the mean spring tide level. Once inundated, these pools provide ideal conditions for mosquito larval development. Runnelling involves the creation of shallow, spoon-shaped channels that link mosquito breeding pools with the tidal interface. Effectively, this exposes mosquito breeding pools to regular tidal flushing and predator invasion. This book explores the impacts from more regular flushing of the high marsh environment on non-target resources. These resources include mangrove propagules, bioturbators such as shore crabs and snails as well as the physical conditions of the saltmarsh substrate. This book presents a comprehensive assessment that will be useful for ecologists, environmental managers and public health officers.